Eureka: A Prose Poem

Written by Edgar Allan Poe

Narrated by David Walsh

"Eureka" (1848) is a lengthy non-fiction work by American author Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) which he subtitled "A Prose Poem", though it has also been subtitled as "An Essay on the Material and Spiritual Universe". Adapted from a lecture he had presented, Eureka describes Poe's intuitive conception of the nature of the universe with no antecedent scientific work done to reach his conclusions. He also discusses man's relationship with God, whom he compares to an author. It is dedicated to the German naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859).

Though it is generally considered a literary work, some of Poe's ideas anticipate 20th-century scientific discoveries and theories. Indeed a critical analysis of the scientific content of "Eureka" reveals a non-causal correspondence with modern cosmology due to the assumption of an evolving Universe, but excludes the anachronistic anticipation of relativistic concepts such as black holes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oregan Publishing Audio
• Release date: Jul 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9782378980672

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American writer, poet, and critic.  Best known for his macabre prose work, including the short story “The Tell-Tale Heart,” his writing has influenced literature in the United States and around the world.